The 10 finest private kitchens in Hong Kong

Opening a new restaurant in Hong Kong is no easy feat.

With one of the highest restaurant densities globally, Hong Kong is a city that demands you earn your reputation, regardless of your talent.

This has led to a surge in private kitchens—either seasoned chefs seeking a more personal dining experience or newcomers testing the waters before fully diving into Hong Kong’s competitive culinary scene.

The private kitchen trend began roughly 15 years ago when restaurant owners, seeking to avoid the sky-high rents for prime real estate, began relocating to upper floors of residential and even industrial buildings.

They obtained private club licenses to bypass the regulations and fees typically imposed on public restaurants.

This means they are restricted from advertising openly or displaying menus for passersby to see.

As long as Hong Kong's rents remain firmly in the “are you serious?” category, private kitchens will continue to thrive.

Here are 10 of the top choices:

Yin Yang Coastal

In 2015, Yin Yang Coastal was one of four Hong Kong restaurants showcased at the prestigious Gastronomika festival in San Sebastian.

With ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s own organic farms, Margaret Xu Yuan presents innovative takes on her Chinese culinary roots.

She originally launched her dining concept, Kitchen Yin Yang, in Hong Kong’s Wanchai area in 2008, later relocating to the coastal Tsuen Wan district and rebranding it as Yin Yang Coastal.

This relocation provided a fresh opportunity to explore and revitalize Hong Kong’s oldest culinary tradition—fishermen’s cooking, which has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of the city.

A standout dish, the Yellow Earth Chicken, is roasted in a custom-made terracotta urn designed by the chef, and is an absolute must-try.

Yin Yang Coastal, Ting Kau Beach, House 117, Ting Kau Village, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong

Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a Mediterranean-inspired kitchen established by Lebanese chef Maria Bizri in 2012, located in Hong Kong’s Wong Chuk Hang area.

As a full-service catering company, Pomegranate's dishes celebrate Mediterranean flavors and aromas, beautifully infused with Asian spices and scents.

Maria's childhood was split between Beirut and Damascus, where her grandparents lived. Her cooking style was influenced by the lively, communal kitchens and shared meals that were central to family life.

Food critic Mac Ling raves about Pomegranate’s cuisine: “Let’s put it this way: if I were getting married, of all the private caterers in Hong Kong, they’d be my first choice to cater the event.”

Pomegranate Kitchen, 4b, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Dining at Home

Dining at Home offers Indian cuisine that most Hong Kong locals are unfamiliar with.

Owner Puja Rajwani, an Indian native with a Chennai mother and a Pune father, is also a proud Hong Kong-born resident.

Her deep passion for Hong Kong and a decade of experience in the UK food industry inspired her to launch a local start-up, setting itself apart from other top Indian restaurants in the city through its unique culinary offerings.

While Indian cuisine is widely loved, Rajwani noticed that Hong Kong lacked a place to explore the flavors of Sindhi cooking.

The recipes, passed down through generations, exclude ghee, butter, or cream, using only a small amount of oil. Instead, dishes are enriched with bold spices and slow-cooked to develop deep flavors.

Forget the usual garlic naan and rogan josh; here, the stars are bhel puri, crushed almond Sindhi chicken curry, masala chai-spiced bread and butter pudding, cardamom-vanilla ice cream, warm carrot saffron halva, and the signature samosas.

Dining at Home is situated in Mid-Levels. The full address is provided upon booking. For inquiries, email [email protected]

Cuore

Cuore was founded by Andrea Oschetti, an Italian chef by profession, and an adventurer by passion, balancing his love for biking and writing.

Through his cooking, Andrea conveys his love for food and culture, while his adventurous spirit is evident in the photographs and mementos that fill every corner of the spacious loft where his dinner parties take place.

Andrea’s life has been a series of bold adventures, from low-altitude flights over Kruger to biking along the ancient trails of Bhutan.

His vibrant energy, storytelling, and cooking embody the spirit of these journeys.

When it comes to the food, Andrea embraces the Italian tradition of simplicity, crafting high-quality, flavorful dishes that showcase the best of Italian cuisine.

Menus are tailored to the seasons, offering customizable options based on what’s freshest at the time.

Highlights include Andrea’s handmade truffle ravioli, a near-zero-sugar chocolate cake, and spaghetti with bottarga—dishes that have left a lasting impression on guests.

Cuore is located in Wong Chuk Hang, just outside the Aberdeen Tunnel, next to Ocean Park. The full address is shared upon booking. For more information, email [email protected]

Eat Ethio

Eat Ethio, a lifestyle brand led by Helina Tesega, an Ethiopian-born entrepreneur who lived in Shanghai before settling in Hong Kong, also features an exceptional supper club experience.

Guests can savor slow-cooked chicken that effortlessly falls off the bone, paired with injera (fermented flatbread) made from the nutrient-packed superfood teff.

The menu also features the unique Ethiopian flavors of kale sautéed in kibbeh (seasoned clarified butter) and spicy red lentils, accompanied by ama bread.

Eat Ethio is located in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan district. For more information, email [email protected]

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Dine Art

Dine Art blends exquisite Italian cuisine with contemporary art.

Chef Cosimo Taddei’s heritage-driven dishes are served in a gallery space that also functions as an intimate dining room, featuring a handcrafted wooden table and elegant candelabras.

Each plate is a masterpiece, showcasing carefully chosen ingredients in unexpected and playful pairings.

Top selections include hamachi carpaccio with tomato essence, raw scampi, basil, and crunchy topinambur (Jerusalem artichoke) chips.

For dessert, indulge in creations like deconstructed tiramisu, served with coffee jelly and a crisp crumble.

While the cuisine sticks to familiar territory, the ambiance is breathtaking, with cutting-edge artwork displayed on every wall of the expansive warehouse space.

Dine Art, Kwai Bo Industrial Building, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Hong Kong

Choy Choy’s Kitchen

Although social media follower counts shouldn’t be taken as the ultimate measure of success, it’s hard not to be impressed by the 300,000 likes Grace Choy has earned for Choy Choy’s Kitchen in just six years.

Choy, who sources nearly all of her ingredients from local Hong Kong farms, believes it’s a combination of elements that keep her Kam Tin restaurant thriving every day.

“Customers and fans tell me they love my food because it’s fresh, natural, and prepared with heart and creativity,” she shares.

“When you’re passionate about something, creativity comes naturally. People also appreciate that I left my office job to pursue my dream, and that keeps them coming back,” she adds.

Choy Choy’s Kitchen is located in Kam Tin. For more information, email [email protected]

Magnolia

After operating independently for 10 years, Magnolia closed its doors and merged with Corner Kitchen this year, where they will continue hosting private dinner parties.

Magnolia’s success lies in its consistently delicious, down-to-earth dishes offered at affordable prices, like Cajun BBQ ribs, cornbread, and pecan pie.

Magnolia, Ground Floor, No. 21 New Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

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Kea’s Kitchen

Kea’s Kitchen is uniquely situated on a boat in the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter.

The menu features dishes such as baked trout seasoned with Himalayan sea salt, green mango salad with spicy lime dressing, and roasted macadamia nuts.

The food is delicious, and the location is truly one-of-a-kind.

Dining here feels like being aboard a three-story yacht, with views of the open waters, creating an unforgettable and extraordinary experience.

Kea’s Kitchen, located in the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter. For reservations and inquiries, email [email protected]

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Sook

When she’s not practicing law, Mina Park runs Sook, a Korean eatery that serves comfort food with a creative twist.

The menu features innovative dishes like kimchi Bloody Mary and dukbokki (rice cakes) with chorizo, as well as traditional favorites such as lotus root and mung bean pancakes.

While she frequently collaborates with popular city restaurants like The Pawn, The Woods, and Ping Pong Gintoneria, Park’s sharp sense of style and exceptional taste make her clean, minimalist dining space in the Chai Wan warehouse district well worth a visit.

Sook is located in Chai Wan. Full address provided upon booking. For further details, email [email protected]

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